LONDON, October 17, 2016 -- Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII), a premier provider of executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping worldwide, has launched The Leadership Network, a forum for women in executive leadership roles who aspire to C-Suite and non-executive director roles.

The Leadership Network’s inaugural event October 12 entailed a breakfast briefing and panel discussion that included Sir Nigel Rudd, Chairman of BBA Aviation plc, and Alice Avis, Non-Executive Director of The Business Growth Fund plc.  More than 130 senior executive women from industry, government and the not-for-profit sector attended the event.

During the discussion, Sir Nigel noted the trend for women executives who might otherwise have a path to C-Suite roles opting instead for so-called “plural careers”—that is accepting multiple Non-Executive Director roles— making them unavailable for the highest executive positions in their primary career.  "We have too few top female executives today and the growing tendency for pursuing plural careers does not help matters," he commented.

“The launch of the Leadership Network helps address the need to create and support a sustainable talent pipeline for senior women leaders in business,” said Jenni Hibbert, a Partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ London office and leader of the firm’s Financial Services Practice in the UK.  “It is an invitation-only forum for female C-suite leaders and our objective is to offer senior women across all sectors the opportunity to enhance their professional development, exchange ideas and share learning with their peers.”

The Leadership Network:

The Leadership Network will sit alongside Heidrick & Struggles’ Board Network. We recognise that senior and diverse leadership is an important requirement for succession planning and that there is a real opportunity to provide leadership to how organisations engage, retain and develop their female talent pipeline.

About Heidrick & Struggles:
Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) serves the executive talent and leadership needs of the world's top organizations as a premier provider of leadership consulting, culture shaping and senior-level executive search services. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 60 years ago. Today, the firm serves as a trusted advisor, providing integrated leadership solutions and helping its clients change the world, one leadership team at a time.® www.heidrick.com

H&S Media Contact:
Chiara Pierdomenico: +44 (0)20 7075 4236
cpierdomenico@heidrick.com